6-fluoro steroids and process



United States Patent 0 G-FLUORO STEROIDS AND PROCESS Philip F. Bea], Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, John A. Hogg, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County, and Robert W. Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mich., assignors to The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich., a corporation of Michigan No Drawing. Application November 29, 1957 Serial No. 699,508

24 Claims. (Cl. 260-23955) This invention relates to 2a-methyl-o-fiuorohydrocortisone and 21-esters thereof, to 2a-methyl-6-fiuorocortisone and 21-esters thereof, to novel intermediates in the production thereof and to processes for the production of the novel compounds and the novel intermediates.

It has been discovered that Za-methyl-fi-fluorohydro- "ice cortisone and the 2l-esters thereof and Za-methyI-G-fiuorocortisone and 21-esters thereof possess valuable antimethyl-6a-fluorohydrocortisone 2l-acetat e has been found to exhibit approximately thirty to forty times the antiinflammatory activity of hydrocortisone. The compounds are useful in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the skin, eyes and ears. of humans and valuable domestic animals, contact dermatitis and other allergenic reactions. The compounds can be administered in conventional dosage forms such as pills, tablets and capsules for oral use or in conventional liquid forms as are used with natural and synthetic cortical steroid hormones for parenteral use. For topical use they can be administered in the form of ointments, creams, lotions, and the like with or without coacting antibiotics, germicides and the like.

The compounds of this invention can be prepared in accordance with the following scheme of reactions:

COOR' OH I Hac-

(EOOR' COOR' COOR' HaC VII

CHQOAO OHiOAO 5B A no- HO CH3 OH:

R" mo R" mo- ZHO J3Ho HI) vm H -o i a 0|:EI 2) 01H no no CH CH3 ll!" HaC- R Hi0 :H-o CH0 (on, -o 5 VIII on -o )n 03 2):: OIH

('}H,0RIII R no on. om

I wherein R is hydroxy or keto, R and R" are hydrogen or lower-alkyl, n is a whole number from one to two, Ac is the acyl radical of an organic acid, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive, and R is hydrogen or Ac as defined above. The term lower-alkyl, when used herein, refers to an alkyl radical of from one to eight carbon atoms, inclusive, e. g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, heptyl, ethylhexyl, and octyl.

The above reactions will be exemplified in detail hereinbelow. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, nevertheless, that the specific order of steps can be inverted or transposed or otherwise varied to suit the purposes of economics, convenience, or the like.

The preferred compounds containing the l7(20)-double bond have the cis configuration, because the cis isomer can ultimately be converted in higher yields in the oxidative hydroxylation step than is ordinarily possible with the trans isomer. It should be understood,

however, that the trans isomer or mixtures of the cis and trans isomers can be used with satisfactory results.

In carrying out the procses of the present invention, the first step involves methylation at the 2-position of a 3 keto l1 oxygenated 4,17(20) pregnadiene 21- carbonyloxy (I), which can be prepared as disclosed in U. S. Patent 2,774,776.-. Such methylation is accomplished by a process of condensation of a 3-keto-ll-oxygenated-4, 17 (20 -pregnadiene-2 l-carbonyloxy compound, acidification of the condensation product, methylation, and. finally, reversal of the condensation step. In the condensation reaction, conducted in the presence of an alkali-metal alkoxide such as, for example, sodium methoxide, the said 3-keto-11-oxygenated steroid is condensed with, for example, diethyl oxalate to produce the alkalimetal enolate of the corresponding 2-ethoxyoxalyl-3-ketoll oxygenated 4,l7(20) pregnadiene 21 carbonyloxy compound. Other condensation agents such as other dialkyl esters of oxalic acid, dialkyl esters of carbonic acid oralkyl esters of trifluoroacetic or formic acid can be used in place of diethyl oxalate. Other alkali-metal alkoxides such as, for example, sodium ethoxide, potassium tertiary butoxide, lithium methoxide are also operative. Reaction solvents which can conveniently be employed in the condensation include methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ether, and the like. The time necessary to obtain substantially complete reaction varies considerably between about five minutes and several days and is dependent on such factors as solvent, catalyst and temperature. Temperatures between about zero degrees centigrade and the boiling point of the reaction mixture are employed. When sodium methoxide, diethyl oxalate and tertiary butyl alcohol are employed at about fifty degrees centigrade, the reaction is usually complete in about five minutes to one hour. The alkali-metal enolate produced may be separated from the reaction mixture by addition of a large volume of an organic solvent in which the alkali-metal enolate is insoluble, such as ether, pentane, or hexane, for example. The thus-produced alkali-metal enolate, in aqueous solution, is acidified to precipitate the free enol. Thereafter, either the alkali-metal enolate or free enol is methylated. by reaction with methyl iodide or methyl bromide in the presence of an alkali-metal alkylation catalyst such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, lithium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and the like to produce the corresponding Za-methyl-ZB- ethoxyoxalyl 3 keto l1 oxygenated 4,l7(20 pregnadiene-2l-carbonyloxy' compound. The methylation is conducted in an organic solvent such as, for example, acetone, methanol, ethanol, for a period of several hours, 'e. g., about eight to 72 hours, and at a temperature of about room temperature to the boiling point of the reaction mixture employed. Finally, the condensation step is reversed, leaving the methyl group at the 2-position and thus producing a 2ix-methyl-3-keto 1l oxygenated 4,l7(20)'-pregnadiene 21 carbonyloxy compound II). The reversal step is conducted in methanol or other organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, and the like, and is promoted by the presence of hydroxide or alkoxide ions. Basic alkali-metal reagents such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, potassium ethoxide, lithium methoxide, and the like are useful incausing reversal of the condensation step. The reaction is conveniently conducted at room temperature for about two hours, but temperatures of about zero degrees centigrade to the boiling point of the reaction mixture and reaction periods of about onehalf hour to 24 hours are operative. The product is isolated from the reaction mixture by conventional means such as drowning out with water and filtering or extracting with a watenimmiscible solvent.

In the ketalization step, the 2-methyl-3-keto-l1-oxygenated 4,17( 20) pregnadiene 21 carbonyloxy compound (II) from above is admixed with an alkanediol selected from the group of vicinal alkanediols or alkanel,3 diols containing up to and including eight carbon atoms in an organic solvent. An acid cataylst such as, for example, p-toluensulfonfic acid is added thereto and the reaction is conducted at a temperature between about twenty and about 200 degrees centigrade, preferably between about forty and about 150 degrees centigrade. The time required for the reaction is not critical and may be varied between about one and 48 hours,v depending on the temperature, the ketalizing agent and catalyst employed. The ketal-forming agents of the present invention, the alkane-diols containing up to and including eight carbon atoms, preferably are vicinal alkanediols such as alkane-l,2-diols or the alkane-l,3-diols, such as, for example, ethylene glycol, propane-1,2-diol, propane- 1,3-diol, butane-1,2-diol, butane-2,3-diol, pentane-l,2- diol, 3-methylpentane-l,2-diol, hexane-1,2-diol, octanel,2-diol, and the like. Suitable solvents include benzene,

toluene, xylene, methylene chloride, and the like.

In carrying out the epoxidation step, a S-ketal of 2amethyl 3 keto ll oxygenated 4,l7(20) pregnadiene 21 carbonyloxy steroid (III), preferably the 3- ethylene ketal of methyl 2a-methyl-3,ll-diketo-4,l7(20)- pregnadiene-Zl-oate, is epoxidized with a peracid, e. g., peracetic or perbenzoic, or other known epoxidizing agents, to produce the corresponding 5,6-oxide (IV).

The reaction is conducted in an organic solvent such as, for example, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ether, benzene, and the like, at a temperature of about minus twenty to plus sixty degrees centigrade, withzero to ten degrees centigrade being preferred. The time required for the exopidation is variable, from a few minutes to several days, depending on the temperature and the epoxidizing agent used. With peracetic acid, for example, a reaction period of one-half to five hours at a temperature'of zero to ten degrees centigrade is preferred. A mixture of both the aand ii-oxides is produced in this epoxidation reaction, and the mixture can be separated by chromatographic or crystallization technique known in the art. I

In the oxide-opening step, a S-ketalized 2a-methyl-3- keto-5a,6a-oxido-1l-oxygenated 17(20) 4 pregnane 21 carbonyloxy steroid (IV) is reacted with hydrogen fluoride to open the oxide ring and produce the corresponding S-ketalized Zen-methyl-3-keto-5a-hydroxy-6B-fluoroll-oxygenated-l7(2()) -allopregnane 2l-carbonyloxy steroid (VI). The epoxide-opening step can be performed under anhydrous or aqueous conditions in the presence or absence of a catalyst, e. g., boron trifluoride. Under anhydrous conditions temperatures between about minus forty and plus fifty degrees centigrade are generally employed, the preferred limits being between about zero and 25 degrees centigrade. If anhydrous conditions are difficult or inconvenient to maintain, the oxide-opening reaction can be performed under aqueous conditions. Thus aqueous hydrofluoric acid is admixed with a solution of the epoxide in an organic solvent such as, for example, methylene chloride, chloroform, benzene, ether, and the like. The reaction is usually complete in a period of few minutes to five hours, with one-half to two hours being the preferred reaction time. For convenience, room temperature is normally employed, but temperatures of zero to the boiling point of the mixture are operative.

When aqueous conditions are used to open the epoxide, the ketal will be hydrolyzed at the same time. The thusproduced 2a-methyl-3-keto-5u-hydroxy-6 6-fluoro-ll-oxygenated-17(20)-allopregnene-2l-carb0nyloxy steroid (V) can then be reketalized in the manner described above to produce the corresponding ketalized compound (VI).

In the reduction step of the present invention, the 3- ke talized Za-methyl-B -keto-5 e-hydroxy-fifi-fiuoro- 1 l-oxygenated-17(20)-allopregnene 21 -carbonyloxy steroid (VI), preferably the 3-ethylene ketal of a lower-alkyl, e. g., methyl, 2a-methyl-3,11-diketo-5 t-hydroxy-6fl-fluorol7(20)-allopregnen-2l-oate is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride or other chemical carboxyl reducing agent in an organic solvent, e. g., ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, benzene, to produce the corresponding 3- ketalized 2a-methyl-5a,l1,8,2l-trihydroxy 6/3 fluoro-17- (20)-allopregnen-3-one. At completion of this reaction, the reaction mixture is preferably mixed with water, or an acid, an ester or carbonyl agent followed by water,

to decompose any excess lithium aluminum hydride and organo-metal complexes. The usual reaction conditions for a lithium aluminum hydride reduction are employed, except that reaction at room temperature or below is preferred to ensure that concomitant reaction with the 6-fiuoro substituent does not occur; an acid, though operative and satisfactory under carefully controlled conditions, is preferably not employed in the decomposition step to avoid undue hydrolysis of the ketal group.

The esterification step involves the conversion of 2amethyl 5 ez,1l 5,21 trihydroxy 6B fluoro-l7(20)-allopregnen-3-one 3-alkylene ketal (VII) to the corresponding 2l-acyloxy compound (VIII). This reaction can be performed under esterification conditions known in the art, e. g., by the reaction of the 21-hydroxy steroid (VII) with the selected acid halide, e. g., acid chloride or acid bromide, the anhydride of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid, or by reaction with the selected acid,'in the presence of an esterification catalyst or with an ester under ester exchange reaction conditions. Reaction conditions which are apt to affect the labile ll/i-hydroxy group or 6-fiuoro group should be avoided. Compounds thus produced include the 2l-acyloxy compounds (VII) wherein the l7(20)-configuration is cis and Ac is the acyl radical of an organic acid, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive, e. g., formic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric, valeric, isovaleric, trimethylacetic, 2-methylb utyric, 3-ethylbutyric, h exanoic, diethylacetic, triethylacetic, heptanoic, octanoic, a-ethylisovaleri'c, succinic, a cyclic acid, e. g., cyclopropylideneacetic, cyclopentylformic, cyclopentylacetic, ,8-cycl'ohexylpropionic, cyclohexylformic, cyclo- 7 hexylacetic, an aryl or alkaryl acid, e. g., benzoic, 2-, 3- or 4-methylbenzoic, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- and 3,5- dimethylbenzoic, ethylbenzoic, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic, 2,4,6-triethylbenz'oic, ot-naphthoic, 3-methyl-ot-naphthoic, an aralkyl acid, e. g., phenylacetic, phenylpropionic, diphenylacetic, triphenylacetic, an unsaturated acid, e. g., acrylic, maleic, vinyl acetic, propiolic, undecolic, etc.

The oxidative hydroxylation of Za-methyI-SaJIB-dihydroxy-Z1-acyloxy-6fi-fluoro 17(20)-allopregnen-3-one 3- alkylene ketal (VIII) to produce 2a-methyl-5a,11,3,17utrihydroxy-Zl-acyloxy 6 8-fluoroallopregnane-3,20-dione 3-alkylene ketal (IX) is carried out by reaction with osmium tetroxide and an oxidizing agent such as hydro- 'gen peroxide, peracids, alkyl peroxides, amine oxide peroxides, and the like. A preferred procedure involves reaction of a 2u-methyl-5a,1lfi-dihydroxy-Zl-acyloxy-6fl= fluoro-17(20)-a1lopregnen-3-one 3-alkylene ketal, prefer ably Zea-methyl 5u,11 3 dihydroxy-Zl-acetoxy-6fl-fluorol7(20)-allopregnen-3-one 3-ethylene ketal, with osmium tetroxide and an oxidizing agent, preferably N-methylmorpholine oxide peroxide, in an organic solvent. Tertiary butyl alcohol is the preferred solvent but other solvents such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, dioxane, and the like are operative. The reaction can be conducted either in the light or in the dark and usually at room temperature, although temperatures of ten degrees to the boiling point of the mixture are operative. The time required for the reaction is not critical and can be varied between about one and 72 hours, the length of time being dependent on the temperature and the amount of osmium tetroxide and oxidizing agent employed.

The hydrolysis step involves the hydrolysis of the ketal group of the 3-ketalized 2a-methyl-5a,11,8,17a-trihydroxy-6 s-fluoro-21-acyloxyallopregnane-3,20-dione (IX), preferably the ethylene ketal thereof, employing aqueous 'acid to produce the corresponding diketone (X). The hydrolysis is conveniently performed under relatively mild conditions, e. g., at room temperature with acetic acid or weak sulfuric acid.

The halohydrin, 2a-methyl-5a,1lfl,l7a-trihydroxy-6fifiuoro-Zl-acyloxyallopregnane-3,20-dione (X), is thereupon dehydrated. Dehydration can be effected in alkali solution or in acidic soiu'tion. Suitable acid dehydrating agents include mineral acids, such as, for example, hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. In addition, acetic anhydride, acetic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, or thionyl chloride in pyridine are suitable as dehydrating agents. Basic dehydrating agents include, for example, alkalimetal hydroxides such as sodium, potassium, barium, calcium hydroxides, and the like. In the preferred on1- bodiment of the present invention acid dehydration 'is employed, preferably acetic acid or hydrochloric acid.

- -Alterna'tively, hydrolysis and dehydration can be ac complished concomitantly. Thus, for example, the 3- ketalized 2oz methyl 5u,11;3,17 1 trihydroxy 6,8- fluoro-Z1-acyloxyallopregnane-3,ZO-dione (IX), preferably the ethylene ketal thereof, is dissolved in chloroform, methylene chloride, ethanol, dioxane, or other convenient solvent, with chloroform being preferred, and is treated with a mineral acid. Prefer-ably the solution containing the steroid is saturated with hydrogen chloride. The acidic mixture is then allowed to stand for a period of from a few minutes to about four hours at a temperature between about minus fifteen and plus twenty degrees centigrade'to give 2a-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone 21- acylate (XI). To isolate "this 6-fluoro steroid, the rcaction mixture is washed with water and the solvent is evaporated. In the event the reaction is conducted in a water-miscible solvent, the reaction mixture is diluted Wlih water and extracted with a water-irniscible solvent and then washed and evaporated to dryness. The resulting residue is purified by crystallization from a suitable organic solvent or by chromatography.

" Compounds represented by Formula XI may be utilized either as the free 21-a1cohols or as the 21-esters. If the alcohols are desired, they are obtained from the acetates by hydrolysis in accordance with known methods for hydrolyzing Compound F 21-esters to the free Compound F alcohol. A preferred procedure is to employ at least a molar equivalent of an alkali-metal bicarbonate in a substantially oxygen-free solution of a mixture of a lower alkanol and water. The hydrolysis reaction is carried out at a temperature between ten and thirty degrees centigrade while protecting the mixture from atmospheric oxygen. After the hydrolysis is complete, the react-ion mixture is neutralized with an acid, e. g., acetic acid, and the hydrolyzed product recovered from the reaction mixture by evaporation and crystallization, extraction with methylene chloride, or the like. The 21- esters, when desired, can be prepared by esterification of the ZI-hydroxyls by esterification procedures hereinbefore described. The preferred 21-es'ters are those derived from an organic carboxylic acid, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive.

The 6-fluoro compounds (XI) of the present invention contain either an l l-hydroxyl or an ll-ketone. The 11- hydroxy compounds can be oxidized to the corresponding ll-keto compounds, i. e., 2amethyl 6fluorocortisone or the 2l-acylates thereof, with an oxidizing agent. Oxidizing agents such as chromic acid, potassium dichromate, a haloamide, and the like are operative. The oxidation can be carried out by a variety of methods, such as, for example, by oxidizing the said 6-fluoro steroid in acetic acid solution with chromium trioxide, using molar quantities or a slight excess, such as from ten to thirty per cent excess, or by oxidizing with a haloamide or imide of an acid, such as 'N-bromoacetamide, N-chlorosuccin imide or N-bromosuccinimide dissolved in pyridine, dioxane, or other suitable solvents. At the conclusion of the desired oxidation reaction, the excess oxidant is generally destroyed by addition of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and the like for the chromic acid oxidant or a bisulfate for N-bro-moacetamidc, N-bromosuccinimide and other N- haloacylamides and imides. Thereafter, the resulting 204 methyl 6 fiuoro 21 acyloxy 4 pregnene- 3,11,20-tr-ione is recovered by conventional means, such. as by dilution with water and extraction with waterimmiscible solvents, e. g., methylene chloride, ether, benzene, toluene, or the like.

The compounds represented by Formula XI, in addition to possessing the valuable anti-rheumatoid arthritic, anti-inflammatory and glucocorticoid activity heretofore mentioned, are useful as intermediates for the preparation of (1) the 21-desoxy and 21-fluoro analogues, namely,

20c methyl 6 fluoro 11,67,170: dihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dione, 2a methyl 6 fiuoro 17a hydroxy 4 pregnene 3,11,20 trione, 20c methyl- 6,21 ditluoro 11fl,l7a dihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20- dione, and 2ot-methyl-6,21-difluoro-17e-hyd roxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione; (2) the 9a-halo analogues, namely, 2a methyl 6 fiuoro 9a halo 1113,1704, 21 trihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dionc and 2a methyl- 6' fi'uoro 904 -halo c,2l dihydroxy 4 pregnene- 3,11,20-trione and the 21-esters thereof; (3) the 9a-halo- 21-desoxy and 9a-halo-21-fluoro analogues, namely, 20:- methyl 6 fiuoro 9a halo 115,170: dihydroxy 4- pregnene 3,20 dione, 2a methyl 6 fluoro 9mhalo 17a hydroxy 4 pregnene 3,11,20 trione, 2oz methyl 6,21 'dilluoro 9a halo 11fl,17ot dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-d-ione, and 2a-methyl-6,21-difluoro 9a halo 17a hydroxy 4 pregnene 3,11,20- trione; (4) the l-dehydro analogues, namely, Zea-methyl- 6 fluoro 11 8,17a.21 trihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene- 3,20dione and Zwmethyl-6-fiuoro-17a,2l-dihydroxy-1,4- pregnadiene-il1,20-trione and the 21-esters thereof; (5) the. 1dehydro-2 1-desoxy and l-dehydro-Zl-fiuoro analogues, namely, 2a-methyl-6-fluoro-l1/3,17u-dihydroxy- 1,4 pregnadiene 3,20 dione, 2a methyl -'6 fluoro- 9 17oz hydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene a 3,11,20 trione, 211 methyl 6,21- diiluoro 11 3,1711 dihydroxy 1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione, and '2u-methyl- 6,2l-difiuoro-17ahydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione; (6) the l-dehydro-9a-hal-o analogues, namely, 2a-me'thyl-6-fluoro-9ahalo 11B,17ot,21 trihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene 3,20- dione, and 2a-methyl-6-fiuoro-9ot-halo-17a,2l-dihydroxy- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,l1,20 trione and the 2l-esters thereof; (7) the 1-dehydro-9u-halo 2-desoxy and 1-dehydro-9ahalo-Zl-fluoro analogues, namely, 2a-me-thyl-6-fluoro-9a- 'halo 115,170 dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene 3,20- dione, 2oz methyl 6 fluoro 90c halo 17nt-l1yd1'0-XY- 1,4 pregnadiene 3,11,20 trione, 2oz methyl -6,21- difluoro 90 halo 1lfl,170z dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione, and 2wmethyl-6,2l-difiu0ro-9a-halo- .l7a-hydroxy-1,4 pregnadiene-3,l1,20-trione. These compounds, the 2l-desoxy, 21-fluoro, 9whalo, 9a-halo-21- oxy,'1-dehydro-21-fiuoro, l-dehydro-9a hatlo, 1-dehydro- 9a-ha'l-o-21-desoxy, and 1-dehydro 9a-halo-2l-fiuoro and the '21-esters of the 21-hydroxy compounds above also possess the valuable anti-rheumatoid arthritic, antiin-fiammatory and glucocorticoid activity of the parent 6-fluoro compounds, usually in higher degree. They possess a combination of high anti-inflammatory and 'glucocorticoid activities with favorable minera-locorticoid properties. i

In the preparation of the 21-desoxy and 21-fluoro analogues of the 6-fiuoro compounds represented by Formula XI, 2a-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone or Zea-methyl- 6-fluorocortisone is converted to the ZI-methanesulfonate by treatment with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine at about zero to twenty degrees centigrade for a period of about thirty minutes to 24 hours. The resulting 21- met-hanesulfonate is isolated by drowning out with water and filtering when the product is crystalline, or by extracting with a water-immiscible solvent such as, methylene chloride, when the ZI-methanesulfonate is not a solid. Treatment of the 21-methanesulfonate with potassium fluoride by refluxing in dimethylsulfoxide for a period of about one to 24 hours is productive of the corresponding 21-fluoro compounds, i. e., 2a-methyl-6,21- difluoro-1lfl,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene 3,20 dione and 2a-methyl-6,21 difluoro 17a hydroxy 4 pregnene- 3,11,20-trione, which can be isolated by drowning out with water and filtering or extracting with a water-immiscible solvent when necessary. The compounds can be purified by recrystallization from acetone, if desired. Treatment of the ZI-methanesulfonate with sodium iodide byurefluxing in acetone for a few minutes results in replacement of the methanesulfonate radical with iodine. The 21-iodide thus produced is isolated by removal of the solvent and is treated with sodium thiosulfate in acetic acid for a period of about fifteen minutes to three hours to produce the corresponding 2l-desoxy compounds, i. e., 2tx-methy1-6 fluoro 115,170 dihydroxy- 4 pregnene 3,20 dione and 2a methyl 6 fluoro- 17a hydroxy 4 pregnene 3,11,20 trione, which can be isolated and purified by conventional means. Alternatively, the 11-keto-21-fluoro and 11-keto-21-desoxy compounds above can be prepared from the corresponding llfi-hydroxy compounds by chromic acid in acetic acid oxidation.

The 9a-halo, 9u-halo-21-desoxy, and 90c-hfilO-21- fluoro analogues of the 6-fiuoro compounds represented by' Formula XI are conveniently prepared, for example, by dehydrating 2flt-dnfithyl-6rfiuO1'OhydIOCOItiSOnC 21-acetate (XI) with N-bromoacetamide and anhydrous sulfur dioxide in pyridine until a negative acidified potassium iodide-stach test of the reaction mixture is obtained. Dilutionwith water results in precipitation of Za-methyl- 6-fluoro-l7ot-hydroxy2l-acetoxy 4,9(11) pregnadiene- 3,20-dione, which. can be purified by recrystallization from acetone. The crystalline product can then be reacted in methylene chloride-tertiary butyl alcohol. solution with perchloric acid and N-bromoacetamide or N- iodoacetamide to produce a reaction mixture from which 20. methyl 6 fluoro 9a bromo 11,8,17a-dihydroxy- 21 acetoxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dione or the corresponding 9-iodo compound, respectively, can be recovered by precipitation with water andrecrystallization from acetone. The latter compounds can be reacted in acetone solution with anhydrous potassium acetate at reflux temperature to produce 2oz methyl 6 fluoro- 9,l3,11;8 oxido 17a hydroxy 21 acetoxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione, which is recoverable from the reaction mix ture by dilution with water and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization from acetone-Skellysolve B hexanes mixture. Reaction of this oxide in methylene chloride solution with aqueous hydrogen fluoride at room temperature or with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride at lower temperatures, e. g., minus twenty to plus twenty degrees centigrade, is productive of 2amethyl 6,9 difluoro 11/3,17a-dihydroxy-2l acetoxy- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione. Substitution of hydrogen chloride for hydrogen fluoride above is productive of 2amethyl 6 fluoro 9a chloro 115,17a dihydroxy-Zlacetoxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dione. Oxidation of the said 9a-fluoro and 9a-chloro compounds with chromic acid in acetic acid is productive of the corresponding 11- keto compounds, 2a methyl 6,90; difluoro 17cc hydroxy 21 acetoxy 4 pregnene 3,11,20 trione and 2a methyl 6 fluoro 9oz chloro 17oz hydroxy 2lacetoxy-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione, respectively.

In the above sequence of reactions, 2a-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone Zl-acetate (XI) was illustratively converted to the corresponding 9a-halo compounds. In the same manner other 21-esters of 2-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone may be used as the starting material. Preferred esters are those wherein the acyl radical is that of an organic carboxylic acid, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive. The ester group of any selected 21-acyloxy starting material will remain throughout the sequence of reactions as illustrated with regard to the acetate, thus being productive of the selected 2l-acetate intermediate compounds corresponding to the 2l-acetoxy compounds indicated.

The foregoing compounds, 2a-methyl-6-fiuoro-9a-halo- 11fl,17oc dihydroxy 21 acyloxy 4 pregnene 3,20- dione, and 20a methyl 6 fluoro 9a halo 17ahydroxy 21 acyloxy 4 pregnene 3,11,20 trione, can be hydrolyzed to the corresponding ZI-hydroxy compounds according to known methods for hydrolyzing Compound F 2l-acetate to Compound F, for example, in aqueous methanolic solution with potassium bicarbonate under oxygen-free conditions. The 21-hydroxy compounds, 2oz methyl 6,9 difluoro l1fi,l7ot,2l trihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dione, 2a methyl 6,90:- difluoro 1704,21 dihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,11,20- trione, 20c methyl 6 fluoro 9a chloro l1 {3,i7o:,21- trihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dione, and 20 methyl- 6 fluoro 9a chloro 17a,2l dihydroxy 4-pregnene- 3,11,20 trione, thus produced can be converted to the corresponding 2l-desoxy and 2l-flnoro compounds, e. g., 20: methyl 6,90: difluoro 115,17a dihydroxy 4- pregnene 3,20 dione, 20c methyl 6,9oz,2i trifluoro- 11,3,17a dihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20 dione, 20tmethyl 6,90: difluoro 1.7a hydroxy 4 pregnene- 3,11,20 trione, 2o: methyl 6,9a,2l trifiuoro 17ozhydroxy 4 pregnene 3,11,20 trione, and the corresponding 9a-chloro compounds, by procedures hereinabove described for the conversion of 204 methyl 6- fluorohydrocortisone and 20: methyl 6 iiuorocortisone to the corresponding 21-desoxy and 21-fiuoro analogues.

In the preparation of the 1.dehydro compounds, i. e., l-dehydro-Zl-desoxy, 1-dehydro-21-fiuoro, 1-dehydro-9uhalo, 1-dehydro-9a-halo-2ledesoxy, and I-dChYdl'O-9ahalo-21-fluoro compounds, 2u-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone or 2a-methyl-6-fluorocortisone of the class of Formula IV, are microbiologically dehydrogenated with Septomyxa afiznis, A. T. C. C. 6737, to give the corresponding l-dehydro compounds, 1-dehydro-2a-methyl-6- fluorohydrocortisone and 1-dehydro-2cx-methyl-6-fluorocortisone. The l-dehydro compounds above are converted to the corresponding 21-desoxy and 2l-fluoro compounds, 20: methyl-6-fluoro-11fl,17a-dihydroxy-1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 2a-methy1-6-,21-difluoro-115,1704- dihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,2O dione, 2a methyl-6- fluoro-17a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20 trione, and 2a methyl 6,2l-difluoro-lh-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene- 3,11,20-trione, by procedures hereinabove described for the conversion of 2a-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone to the corresponding 21-desoxy and 21-fluoro analogues. The l-dehydro-Zu-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone and l-dehydro-Za-methyl-6-fluorocortisone can be acetylated with acetic anhydride in pyridine to give the corresponding 21- acetates, 1-dehydro-2u-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone 21- acetate and 1-dehydro-2a-methyl-6-fluorocortisone 21- acetate, respectively. The 1-dehydro-2wmethyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone acetate can be dehydrated with N-bromoacetamide and anhydrous sulfur dioxide until a negative acidified potassium iodide-starch test of the reaction mixture is obtained. Dilution with cold water, e. g., ice water, results in the precipitation of 2a-methyl-6-fluor0- 17oc-hYd1OXY 21 acetoxy-1,4,9,(11)-pregnatriene-3,20- dione, which can be purified by recrystallization from acetone. The crystalline product can then be reacted in methylene chloride-tertiary butyl alcohol solution with perchloric acid and N-bromoacetamide or N-iodosuccinimide to produce a reaction mixture from which 2amethyl-6-fluoro-9 a-bromo-l 1,8,17ot-dihydroxy-2 l-acetoxy- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione or the corresponding 9oc-i0d0 compound, respectively, can be recovered by precipitation with ice water and recrystallization from acetone. The latter compounds can be reacted in acetone solution with anhydrous potassium acetate at reflux temperature to produce 200 methyl-6-fluoro-9fi,1lB-oxido-17a-hydroxy- 21-acetoxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, which is recoverable from the reaction mixture by dilution with water and can be purified by chromatography and recrystallization from a Skellysolve B hexanes-acetone mixture. Reaction of the latter in methylene chloride solution with aqueous hydrogen fluoride at room temperature or with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride at lower temperatures, e. g., minus twenty to plus twenty degrees centigrade, is productive of 20: methyl-6,9a-difluoro-l 1 B,17a-dihydroxy-2 l-acetoxy- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione. Substitution of aqueous hydrogen chloride for hydrogen fluoride is productive of 2a-methyl 6 flllOI'O-9a-ChiO1'O-l1fl,1706-dlhYClIOXy-21- acetoxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione. Oxidation of the said 9oz-fit1010 and 9oc-Chl010 compounds with chromic acid in acetic acid is productive of the corresponding 11- keto compounds, 2u-methyl-6,9a-difluoro-l7u-hydroxy- 2l-acetoxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione and 2a-methyl- 6-fluoro-9a-chloro-l7a-hydroxy-21-acetoxy-1,4 pregnadiene-3,1 l,20-trione, respectively.

In the above sequence of reactions l-dehydro-Z-methyl- 6-fluorohydrocortisone 21-acetate (IV) was illustratively converted to the 9a-halo compounds. In the acylation step of the above sequence of reactions, acetic anhydride was utilized illustratively to produce the 21-acetate of 1- dehydro-2u-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone. In the same manner other acylating agents can be used to esterify 1-. dehydro-2a-methyl-6-fluorohydrocortisone to produce the corresponding 21-ester. Preferred esters are those wherein the acyl radical is that of an organic carboxylic acid, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive. The ester group of any selected 21-acyloxy starting material will remain throughout the sequence of reactions as illustrated with regard to the acetate, being thus productive of the selected 21-acylate intermediate compounds corresponding to the 21-acetoxy intermediates shown.

- 1 The foregoing compounds, 2a-methyl-6-fluoro-9a-halo 115,171; dihydroxy 21 acyloxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20- dione, and 2a-methyl-6-fluoro-9cit-halo-17a-hydroxy-21- acyloxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione, are hydrolyzed to the corresponding ZI-hydroxy compounds according to known methods for hydrolyzing Compound F 21-acetatc to Compound F, for example, in aqueous methanolic solution with potassium bicarbonate under oxygen-free conditions. The 2l-hydroxy compounds, 2a-methyl-6,9a-difluoro-115,17u,21 trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 2oz methyl 6,911 difluoro-170:,21-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,ll,20-trione, 2oz methyl 6 fluoro-9a-chloro- 11fi,17a,2l-trihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione, and 20:- methyl 6 fluoro-9a-chloro-l7ot,2l-dihydroxyl,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione, are converted to the corresponding 21-desoxy and 21-fluoro compounds, e. g., 2ot-rnethyl-6,9adifluoro 1lfi,l7a dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 2a-methyl-6,9u,2l-trifiuoro-l1fl,17a-dihydroxy 1,4 -pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 2a-methyl-6,9a-difluoro17a-hydroxy- 1,4-pregnadiene 3,11,20-trione, 2a-methyl-6,9a,21-trifluoro-l7a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20 trione, and the corresponding 9a-chloro compounds, by procedures hercinabove described for the conversion of 2u-methyl-6- fluorohydrocortisone to the corresponding Zl-desoxy and 2l-fluoro analogues, e. g., by preparation of the 21-metbanesulfnate with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine, followed by replacement of the methanesulfonate radical with fluorine by treatment with potassium fluoride, or replacement of the methanesulfonate radical with hydrogen by treatment with sodium iodide followed by sodium thiosulfate.

The compounds represented by Formula XI and their 21 desoxy, 21 fluoro, 9a-halo, 9a halo 21 desoxy, a halo 21 fluoro, 1 dehydro, 1 dehydro 21- desoxy, l-dehydro-Zl-fluoro, l-dehydro-9u-halo l-dehydro -9a halo 21-desoxy, and 1-dehydro-9a-halo-21- fluoro analogues, are all characterized by the presence of a 6-fluoro substituent, which can exist in either the 601- or 6 8-epimeric form. The foregoing processes produce a mixture in which both the 618- and Got-forms are present. The 6a-epimer can be separated from the products by chromatographic or fractional crystallization techniques known in the art. The compounds are useful, however, as such in the mixtures as produced in the synthesis steps described. It is occasionally desirable, nevertheless, to produce from the mixture by separation or by epimerization the 6a-epi1ner. Conversion of the GB-epimer or mixture predominating therein can be accomplished by treatment at temperatures of zero degrees Centigrade or slightly below in an organic solvent, such as chloroform, methylene chloride, ether, and the like, and in the presence of a prototropic agent (a proton-donating reagent) such as water, alcohols, organic acids, and the like, with a'mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid. The mixture should be maintained at temperatures below zero degrees centigrade, or at least below room temperature, during the addition of the acid. The reaction mixture can then be washed with successive portions of dilute alkali and water, and then dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The 6u-fluoro products can be recovered from the crude reaction mixture and purified by recrystallization.

Alternatively, the epimerization can be accomplished with an alkali. Bases such as, for example, solutions of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide may be used to treat the 6B-epimer in solution in an organic solvent, such as, for example, methanol to produce the 6a-epimer.

The following examples are illustrative of the process and products of the present invention, but are not to be construed as limiting.

EXAMPLE 1 Methyl 2a-methyl-3J1-diket0-4J 7 (20) -pregnadien- 21-0ate (1) GLYOXALATION OF METHYL 3,11 DIKETO-4 ,17(20)- PREGNADIEN-2l-OATE "A solution of 178 grams of methyl 3,11-diketo-4,17-

18 ()-pregnadierr-21-oate in 5.5 liters of t-butyl alcohol was prepared by warming to seventy degreescentigrade'. The solution was then cooled to 55 degrees centigrade. The reaction flask was purged with nitrogen, and-219 grams of diethyl oxalate and 54 grams of sodium methoxide (as a percentsolution inmethanol) were added. After ten minutes the sodium enolate salt started to precipicate, and reaction was complete in forty minutes. The reaction mixture, after cooling to 25 degrees centigrade, was diluted with three liters of anhydrous ether and filtered to give 218 grams of the sodium enolate of methyl 2-ethoXyoxalyl-3 ,1 1-diketo.-4,17(20) -pregnadien- 21-oate as a yellow powder.

(2 ENOL FORMATION The sodium enolate from above was converted tothe free enol by dissolving in three liters of'water and acidifying with five percent sulfuric acid solution. The resulting solid material was isolated by filtration and was washed with water and dried to give 172 grams (as a yellow powder) of methyl 2-ethoxyoxalyl-3,1 1-diketo-4,17- (20)-pregnadien-21-oate as the free enol.

(3) METHYLATION- The glyoxalate moiety was removed by dissolving the residue from above in 1.2 liters of methanol andadding 21 milliliters of a 25 percent solution ofjsodium methoxide in methanol thereto. After standing at twenty to 25 degrees centigrade for two hours, the reaction mix.- ture was poured into 2.5 liters of Water in which fifty grams of sodium chloride had been dissolved. The resulting crystalline precipitate was collected by filtration and dried to give thirty grams of light brown powder, which was dissolved in 200 milliliters of methylene chloride and chromatographed over 1500 grams of synthetic magnesium silicate (Florisil'). The column was eluted with eighteen fractions of five percent acetone in Skellysolve B hexanes. Fractions five to thirteen contained the product which on crystallization from methanol gave 9.9 grams of methyl 2a-methyl-3',11-diketo-4,17(20)-pregnadien-ZI-oate of melting point 138 to 140 degrees centigrade and having a rotation of [al plus 148 degrees (chloroform) and the following analysis:

Analysis.Calculated for C H' O 'C, 74.50; H, 8.16. Found: C, 74.05; H, 8.28.

EXAMPLE 2 A mixture of 9.9 grams of methyl 2a.-methyl.-3,11.- diketo-4,17(20)-pregnadien-21-oate, 0.5 gram of p-toluene-sulfonic acid monohydrate, 100 milliliters of distilled ethylene glycol and 1.6 liters of benzene was heated under reflux, with vigorous stirring, for a period of twenty hours; The'water formed in the reaction was co-distilled with the benzene and removed in a water trap. The reaction mixture was then cooled, two milliliters of pyridine added thereto, and washed with water and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. After drying over anhydrous sodium sulfate, the solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. The residue wascrystallized from methanol and gave 6.1 grams of methyl Zea-methyl- 3, 1 1-diketo-4,17 (20) -pregnadien-21-oate 3-ethylene ketal, melting point 208 to 216 degrees centigrade. An. analytical sample melted at 220 to 224 degrees centigrade was stirred for 45 minutes.

14 and had a rotation of ['al minus seventeen degrees (chloroform) Analysis-Calculated for (3 11 0 C, 72.50; H, 8.28. Foundz 'C, 72.66; H, 8.50.

Following the above procedure, substituting other dihydric alcohols for ethylene glycol, for example, 1,2- propylene glycol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol and 2,3- pentanediol, is productive of the respective 3-alkylene ketals of methyl 2a-methyl-3,11-diketo-4,17(20)-pregnadien-Zl-oate.

EXAMPLE 3 Methyl Za-methy l-3 ,1 1-diket0-5a,6a-0xid0-1 7 (20 allopregnen-Zl -0ate 3 -ethylene ketal A. mixture of, 11.3 milliliters of forty percent peracetic acid and 1.13 grams of sodium acetate was cooled to approximately zero degrees centigrade in an ice-salt bath and, was stirred while a solution of five grams of methyl 2a --methyl 3,1-1 diketo 4,17 (20) pregnadien 21- oate S-ethylene ketal in milliliters of chloroform was added slowly over a period of fifteen minutes so that the temperature of. the reaction mixture did not exceed five degrees centigrade. The reaction mixture was stirred for two hours at zero-degrees centigrade, then the aqueous layer containingexcess peracetic acid was separated and the'chloroform solution was washed with water, then with.

saturated. aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and again with water. To insure removal of any peroxides present, the thus-obtained chloroform solution was diluted with milliliters of methanol. Fifty milliliters of 0.1 Normal aqueous sodium hydroxide was added and the mixture After addition. of 200 milliliters of water, the chloroform layer was separated, washed with water, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The thus-obtained chloroform solution was concentrated to dryness by distillation in vacuo from a water bath at sixty degrees centigrade, giving a white crystalline residue which was recrystallized two times from acetone to give 3.53 grams of methyl 2ot-rnethyl-3,1l-diketo-5a,6aoxido 17(20) allopregnen 21 oate 3 ethylene ketal as white cubes having a melting point of 278 to 282 degrees ,centigrade, a rotation of [@1 minus 46 degrees (chloroform), and thefolowing analysis:

Analysis.'-Calculated for C H O C, 69.80; H, 7.91,. Found: C, 69.24 H, 8.36.

The. acetone mother liquors from the methyl 2a-methyl- 3,11 diketo 5a,6a oxido 17(20) allopregnen 21 oate 3-ethylene ketal crystallization were concentrated to give. a crop whichwas' recrystallized from acetone to give 0.54 gram of methyl 2a -methyl-3,11-diketo-5B,6/3-oxido- 17(20)-allopregnen-21-oate 3-ethylene ketal as white needles having a melting point of 255 to 257 degrees centigrade.

. EXAMPLE 4 M ethyl- 2a-methyl-3,11-diket0-5u-hydroxy-6B-flu0r0- 1 7=(20 -a'llopregnen-21-0ate A solution of :3.53 grams of methyl 2u-methyl-3,11- diketo-5a,6u-oxido17(20)-allopregnen-21-oate 3-ethylene ketal. in fifty milliliters of methylene chloride was placed in a polyethylene bottle and fifteen milliliters of 48'percent aqueous hydrofluoric acid was added. The resulting mixture was stirred vigorously for one hour at room temperature and. then was poured into 500 milliliters of water. Excess hydrofluoric acid was neutralized by addition of sodium bicarbonate, and the methylene chloride layer was separated; The aqueous layer was washed with twenty milliliters of methylene chloride. The methylene chloride solutions were combined, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and chromatographed over 200 grams of Florisil synthetic magnesium silicate. The column was eluted with 200-milliliter fractions of fifteen percent acetone in. Skellysolve B hexanes. The material eluated in fractions five to eleven, inclusive, was recrystallized from a mixture of acetone. and Skellysolve B hexanes to give EXAMPLE 5 Methyl 2 a-m'ethyl-3 ,1 1-diket0-5oc-hydroxy-6B-flu0r0 I 7 (20 -ullpregnen-21- 0ate 3 -ethylene ketal A mixture of 3.4 grams of methyl 2a-methyl-3,lldiketo a hydroxy 65 fiuoro 17-(20) allopregnen- 21-oate, fifty milliliters of redistilled ethylene glycol, 0.25 gram of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate and 500 milliliters of benzene was stirred and refluxed for six hours during which time water was removed by means of a Dean-Starke water trap. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and 0.25 milliliter of pyridine was added. The resulting solution was washed with water, five percent aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and water and then was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to dryness in vacuo, giving a quantitative yield of methyl 2a-methyl-3,11-diketo-5a-hydroxy-6pfluoro 17(20) al'lopregnen 21 oate. The infrared absorption spectrum was in agreement with the desired structure.

Following the above procedure, substituting other dihydric alcohols for ethylene glycol, for example, 1,2-propylene glycol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol and 2,3-pentanediol, is productive of the respective 3-alkylene ketals of methyl c methyl 3,11 diketo 5a hydroxy 6pfiuoro-17(20)-allopregnen-2l-oate.

EXAMPLE 6 2 xmethyl-5 a,] [5,2] -tiihydroxy-6B-fluoro-1 7(20 allopregn en-3-0ne 3-ethylene ketal A solution of 3.77 grams of methyl 2a-methyl-3,1l-diketo 50c hydroxy 6,8 fluoro 17(20) allopregnen- 2l-oate 3-ethylene ketal in 175 milliliters of ether was added to a solution of 1.7 grams of lithium aluminum hydride in 400 milliliters of ether and stirred at to thirty degrees Centigrade for one hour. Then 25 milliliters of ethyl acetate was added slowly, followed by cautious addition of fifty milliliters of distilled water. The ether solution was separated from the resulting mixture by decantation, and then was concentrated in vacuo at below fifty degrees Centigrade to give crude 2a-methyl-5a,11fl,2l-trihydroxy 6B fiuoro 17(20) allopregnen 3 one 3- ethylene ketal as a white powder.

EXAMPLE 7 The acetate was prepared by allowing 3.7 grams of 2a.- methyl 5a,ll}9,2l trihydroxy-6fi-fluoro-17(20)-allopregnen-3-one 3-ethylene ketal to stand sixteen hours in five milliliters of acetic anhydride and twenty milliliters of pyridine. The solution was then poured into ice water to give 3.65 grams of 2a-methyl-5a,11}8,21-trihydroxy 6(3 fluoro-17(20)-allopregnen-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 2l-acetate, melting point 184 to 185 degrees centigrade.

Similarly, other 2l-organic carboxylic esters of :,115, 21 trihydroxy 6p fluoro-17(20)allopregnen-3-one 3- ethylene ketals are prepared wherein Ac is the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive, e. g., formic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric, valeric, isovaleric, trimethylacetic, Z-methylbutyric, 3-ethylbutyric, hexanoic, diethylacetic, triethylacetic, heptanoic, octanoic, a-ethylisovaleric, succinic, a

cyclic acid, e. g., cyclopropylideneacetic, cyclopentylformic, cyclopentylacetic, fl-cyclohexylpropionic, cyclohexylformic, cyclohexylacetic, p-cyclohexylpropionic, an aryl or alkaryl acid, e. g., benzoic, 2-, 3-, or 4-methylbenzoic, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5- 2,6-, 3,4- and 3,5-dimethylbenzoic, ethylbenzoic, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic, 2,4,6-triethylbenzoic, a-naphthoic, 3-methyl-a-naphthoic, an aralkyl acid, e. g., phenylacetic, phenylpropionic, diphenylacetic, triphenylacetic, an unsaturated acid, e. g., acrylic, maleic, vinyl acetic, propiolic, undecolic, etc.

EXAMPLE 8 2a-methyl-5a,11;8,1711,21-tetrahydroxy-6fi-flu0r0- allopregnane-3,20-dione 3-ethylene ketal 21 -acetate To a solution of 3.65 grams of 2a-methyl-5a,11;8,21- trihydroxy-6B-fluoro-l7(20)-allopregnen-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 2l-acetate in 180 milliliters of tertiary butyl alcohol was added 5.2 milliliters of pyridine, seventy milligrams of osmium tetroxide, and 10.75 milliliters of a solution of N-methylmorpholine oxide peroxide in tertiary butyl alcohol. The latter solution required for titration 41.3 milliliters of 0.1 normal sodium thiosulfate per milliliter of solution. The reaction mixture was protected from light and stirred for sixteen hours at room temperature. At the end of the reaction period eighty milliliters of 0.5 percent aqueous sodium hydrosulfite was added to the reaction mixture, which was then stirred for eighty minutes and filtered through a bed of diatomaceous earth. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo at below fifty degrees centigrade until no tertiary butyl alcohol remained in the mixture and then was cooled to five degrees centigrade and filtered to give 1.24 grams of 2a-methyl-5a,11fl, l7a,21 tetrahydroxy 6,3 fiuoroallopregnane-3,ZO-dione 3-ethylene ketal 21-acetate having a melting point of 262 to 264 degrees Centigrade, a rotation of [a] plus 33 degrees in chloroform, and the following analysis:

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O F: C, 62.70; H, 7.89; F, 3.82. Found: C, 63.07; H, 8.08; F, 3.44.

The filtrate from the crystallization of the Za-methyl- 5a,11B,17a.,21 tetrahydroxy 613 fluoroallopregnane- 3,20-dione 3-ethylene ketal 2l-acetate was extracted with methylene chloride. The extract was dried over sodium sulfate and chromatographed over 200 grams of Florisil synthetic magnesium silicate. Elution of the column with fifteen percent acetone in Skellysolve B hexanes gave 0.44 gram of product, which on crystallization from a mixture of ethyl acetate and Skellysolve B hexanes gave 0.39 gram of 2a-methyl-5a,11 8,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-6B- fiuoroallopregnane-3,20-dione 3-ethylene ketal 21-acetate having a melting point of 252 to 255 degrees centigrade.

EXAMPLE 9 2a-methyl-5a,11 B,.l 7a,21 -Ietrahydroxy-6;3-fluoroallopregnane-3,20-di0ne 21 -acetate A solution of 0.5 gram of 2a-m6thyl-5a,11fi,17a,2ltetrahydroxy-6,3-fluoroallopregnane-3,20-dione 3-ethylene ketal 21-acetate in 35 milliliters of acetone and four milliliters of 1 normalsulfuric acid solution was greatly boiled on the steam bath for ten minutes, cooled and neutralized with dilute aqueous sodium bicarbonate. Addition of water and cooling gave a crystalline precipitate of 2a-methyl-5 a, 1 1,8, 17ot-t1'ihYd1'0XY-6fl-flll0IO-2l -acetoxyallopregnane-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 10 2a methyl 65 fluaro-I119,17a-dihydr0xy-21-acet0xy-4- pregnene 3,20 diorze (2oz methyl 6,8 fluorohydrocortisone acetate) A solution of milligrams of 2a-methyl-5a,11,8,17atrihydroxy 65 fluoro-Z1-acetoxya1lopregnane-3,20-dione in 4.9 milliliters of acetic acid and 0.1 milliliter of water was refluxed for a period of one hour and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. Crystallization of the residue from acetone-Skellysolve B hexanes gave 2amethyl 6B fluoro-l1,8,17a-dihydroxy-21-acetoxy-4-preg- 1 7 nene-3,20-dione (2a-methyl-6B-fluorohydrocortisone acetate). Chromatography of the mother liquor and crystallization from acetone-'Skellysv lve B hexanes gave a small amount of the 6a-fluoro epimer.

EXAMPLE 11 2a methyl 6a. fluoro-IIfiJ7a-dihydroxy-21-acetoxy-4- pregnene-3,20-dine (2a-methyl-6a-flu0r0hydr0cortisone acetate) A solution of 1.63 grams of 2a-methyl-5c,1lfi, l7a.,2ltetrahydroxy 6B fiuoroallopregnane 3,20 dione 3- ethylene ketal 21-acetate and 1.65 milliliters of absolute ethanol in 165 milliliters of chloroform was maintained at minus five to minus ten degrees centigrade for 2.5 hours while hydrogen chloride gas was bubbled through the solution. The reaction mixture was then poured into 300 milliliters of ice and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer was separated, washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, then with water, and was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The thus-obtained solution was chromatographed over 140 grams of Florisil synthetic magnesium silicate. Elution with twenty percent acetone in Skellysolve B hexanes gave 1.23 grams of product which was recrystallized from aqueous methanol togive one gram of 2a-methyl-6a-fiuorohydrocortisone 21- acetate having a melting point of 214 to 215 degrees centigrade, a rotation of [a] plus 137 degrees in chloroform, and the following analysis:

Analysis.-Calcd. Ifor C H O F: C, 66.00; H, 7.63; F, 4.36. Found: C, 65.64; H, 7.70; F, 3.86.

Alternatively, isomerization of 2a-methy1-6B-fluorohydrocortisone acetate was productive of 2amethyl-6o.- fluorohydrocortisone acetate. A solution of 0.132 gram of 2wmethyl-6/3-fiuorohydroco-rtis0ne acetate-in twelve milliliters of chloroform and 0.1 milliliter of absolute alcohol was cooled to minus ten degrees centigrade in an ice-salt bath and a stream of anhydrous hydrochloric acid was gently bubbled through the solution for 2.5 1 hours while the temperature was maintained between minus five and minus fifteen degrees Centigrade. The solution was then diluted with 25 milliliters of chloroform, washed with dilute sodium bicarbonate and water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure at sixty degrees centigrade "or less. Crystallization of the residue from acetone-Skellysolve B gave 2a-methyl-6a-fluorohydrocortisone acetate,-mlting point 214 to 215 degrees centigrade.

, EXAMPLE 12 2a methyl-6,8-fluoro-1 7a-hydr0xy-21 -acet0xy-4-,pregnene- 3,11,20-tri0ne (2a-methyl-6fi-flu0r0c0rzis0ne acetate) and 2a-methyb6a-fluor0-17a-hydroxy 21 acet0xy-4- pregnene 3,11,20 trione. (Zn-methyl --6a fluorocortisane-acetate) Oxidation of GB-fluorohydrocortisone acetate and- 6afluorohydrocortisone acetate ofExamples 10 and "11 with chromic acid in acetic acid or in accordance with the procedure disclosed in U. S. Patent 2,751,402 yielded 65- fluorocortisone acetate and 6a-fiuorocortisone acetate, respectively.

EXAMPLE 13 2a-methyl-6a-fluoro-11BJ7a,21-trihya'roxy 4 pregnene- 3,20-di0ne (Za-methyl-6a-fluorohydrocortisone) A solution of 1.1 grams of2a-methyl-6c-fiuorohydrocortisone acetate, one gram of potassium bicarbonate, 100 milliliters of methanol and fifteen milliliters of water was purged with nitrogen and stirred at 25 degrees centigrade for four hours. The solution was then neutralized by addition of acetic acid and the methanol was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. The residue was extracted with 100 milliliters of methylene dichloride and the extract, after drying over sodium sulfate, was chromatographed over a column of eighty grams of synthetic magnesium silicate. Tthe product fraction was eluted 18 with Skellysolve B hexanes plus twenty and'thirty percent acetone and. gave 2a-methyl-6a-fluorohydrocortisone.

Following the procedure of Example 13, -saponification of the Za-methyl-6B-flu0rohydrocortisone acetate, 2amethyl 6/3 fluorocortisone acetate and 2a-methyl-6afluorocortisone acetate of Examples 10 and 12 is productive of the corresponding 21-hydroxy compounds, 2amethyl 6,8 fiuorohydrocortisone, 2a-methyl-6B-fluorocortisone and 2a-methyl-6a-finorocortisone.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details .Of operation or exact compounds shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the invention is therefore "to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Zea-mfithYi-6-fillOrQ-l l-oxygenated-J'lu,2l-dihydroxy- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione of the following formula: 1

OHzOH "wherein R isa member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and keto; and the Z'I-acylates-thereof wherein the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive.

2. Za-methyl-6-fiuorohydrocortisone and the 2'1-acylates thereof where in the acyl radical .is :that ofa' hydrocarbon carboxylic acid-containing from one to twelve carbon wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hy droxy and keto, R and R" are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl, and n is a whole number from one to two.

15. Methyl 2a-methyl-3, 1 l-diketo-S a,6a-0XidO- 17 (20) allopregnen-Zl-oate 3-ethylene ketal.

19 16. A compound selected from the groupconsisting of 2a-methyl-3-keto-5a-hydroxy-6B-fluoro-1l-oxygenated- 17(20)-allopregnene-2lcarbonyloxy steroid represented by the formula:

() O R' (IIH Hacand the 3-cyclic ketal thereof represented by the following formula:

R" H c- CHO wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and keto, R and R" are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl, and n is a whole number from one to two.

17. Methyl 2a methyl 3,11 diketo a hydroxy- 6fl-fluoro-17(20)-allopregnen-2l-oate 3-ethylene ketal. 18. Methyl 2oz methyl 3,11 diketo 5oz hydroxy- 6fl-fiuoro-17(20) -al1opregnen-21-oate.

19. A 3 ketalized 20c methyl 3 keto 5a,11fi,21- trihydroxy-6/3-fiuoro-17(20)-allopregnene represented by the following formula:

CHaOH RI! H c- HO I (CHz)..-0 I

wherein R" is selected from the group consisting of hyomose and the 3-cyc1ic ketal thereof represented 'by the following formula:

wherein R" is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl, n is a whole number from one to two, and A0 is the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive.

23. 20c methyl 5a,11,8,17u trihydroxy 21 acetoxy-GB-fluoroallopregnan-S,20-dione 3-ethylene ketal.

24. 2a methyl 5a,11fi,170c trihydroxy 21 acetoxy-6p-fluoroa1lopregnan-3,20-dione.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hogg et a1 "Apr. 26, 1955 OTHER REFERENCES Hogg et al., I. A. C. S. 77 (1955), pp. 6401-2. 

1. 2A-METHYL-6-FLUORO-11-OXYGENATED-17A,21-DIHYDROXY4-PREGNENE-3,20-DIONE OF THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 